>>25982294
Since the disastrous mission to the cold north of the Human realm you'd been given a bit of time off. Thankfully nobody blamed you specifically for what had transpired, but you still felt like you'd been passed over for jobs. Maybe that was about to change.

The doorbell is obviously ringing, if it keeps doing so Gepette and Argenta will probably both wake up. You suppose you should go and answer the door, but should you put some clothes on first…? You straighten a wooden voodoo mask that was tilted hanging on the wall and cast a glance into your wardrobe. You have several sets of clothes: Conservative, Mission, Erotic and Beyond Skimpy. Decisions, decisions.

What sort of outfit will you wear today?

>>25982305
Erotic

>>25982305

Conservative. It's our day off.

>>25982305
Conservative (vaguely). We'll change if we have to go out, but some bastard just woke us up, so we may as well answer in a big shirt and nothing else.

>>25982294
>>25982305
Good to see this quest in action again.

Throw on a robe.

>>25982527
>>25982460
>>25982424
>>25982381

You fish about for some clothes and pull out a skimpy string bikini. You decide that it might come in handy and put it on, but realize that your bulging breasts are going to slip out of it should you have to move faster than a strut, which might be a problem should your suspicions about the guest at your door be correct. So, you pull out a button-up white shirt and put it on over the top, taking care to only button it up half-way. There's a matching vest and skirt to go with it but you can't be fucked to find them, and the shirt covers your bikini bottom anyway (sort of) so who cares.

Your living room is, naturally, looking like a bomb went off. There are various undergarments scattered all about in various states of cleanliness, a few cushions on the floor, a couple of half-eaten bowls of food on the coffee table, and several holes in the wall where Geppette managed to embed her ridiculous horns. An open balcony marked the far end of the apartment, letting in the rosy red sky of Hell. There was also a hallway branching off from the main entrance that led to Argenta’s room and the kitchen.

The doorbell is ringing in faster increments, whoever it is is getting impatient. Want to open the front door, or leave them stewing a bit while you get breakfast?

>>25982598
Might be someone important go open the door.

>>25982598
Let's be nice and open the door, but make sure they know they just woke us up for what better be a good reason.

>>25982598

Answer the door, but look pissed off when you open it.

>>25982598
Open the door. "Damn it! who is it?"

Good to see this back in action

>>25982650
>>25982645
>>25982628
>>25982613

You groan and open the door. Let’s get this over with.

Standing before you is your wizened, beady-eyed boss Corosticiul, or Corost for short. He is the Grand Soul Administrator of Ashfall City. He resembles a massive, hunchbacked log pretending to be some sort of lizard, wearing a dark red robe. And he seems rather annoyed.

“Boss! Uh, come on in.” You beckon him inside, discarding any annoyance. Corost doesn’t even nod as he walks past you into your pigsty of a living room, kicking some of your clothes across the floor as he sits on your fluid-stained couch. You shut the door and sit in front of him, hesitantly. A few moments pass as you sweat and he looks around your messy apartment with resigned disdain, but then his eyes focus on you after a long sigh.

“Revulvael.” His grumpy voice cuts like a knife.
“Boss?”
“I’ve got an internal situation I need you to quickly and quietly deal with. Are you available?”
He wasn’t just asking, you could tell. You swallow your misgivings and nod.
“Good.” Corost stretches and reclines in your couch, his massive girth causing it to groan at the strain. “12 hours ago, we received notification from our Seers that two unauthorized individuals arrived via the portal network in Ashfall City. They came in through the arrival gate at the Department of Demonseed but apparently were picked up by someone before the guards there noticed.” You frown.
“Or maybe the guards noticed and just didn’t report it because of…reasons.”
Corost nods. “The fact that our normally-vigilant security didn’t react suggests that someone bribed them, and that would in turn mean this was planned. The two individuals, according to the magic resonance signal, were humans, and my sniffer who went to investigate the Department said that their trails split up in an alleyway outside before they dissipated, which means they’re probably in two different locations.”

(cont'd)

>>25982706
“Did you lock down transport out of Ashfall?”
Corost nods.
“We did, blamed it on some Cursefruit quarantine bullshit.”
“So,” you say, absentmindedly rubbing a horn, “We’ve got two humans running about in the city who shouldn’t be here. And I take it you want me to find them?”
“Indeed.” Corost shrugs. “The fact that someone got them here suggests it’s some sort of conspiratorial power-play, and since I haven’t been bribed I’m obviously not a part of it.” He chuckles, but turns serious. “You’re my best agent, and frankly I think you’re going to be replacing me in a few years.” You feel your cheeks flush at the sudden praise. “I want you to find these lost humans and find out what’s happening. You should instantly notice their magical smell that stinks of the mortal realm, we normally scrub that off newcomers when they arrive. Once you find them, try and figure out where they were going so I can summon the Legion and crack some skulls.” Corost shoots you a weary smile as he gets up. You return it and give him a salute.
“On it, boss!”

Do you want to ask Corost anything more? He seems to be in a bit of a hurry.

Boss if either of them have a seed do you mind if I convert them?

>>25982746
We've already been warned about that shit, plus, he undoubtedly won't want loose ends.

>>25982717
We might have to search the portal district for more evidence. Also ask if Gepette and Argenta can help. 2 people in 2 different locations. We might have to split up.

>>25982771
Thats why I'm asking. If he says no then its no.

Ask for a basic description if he has one to give.

They might be those two douchebag mages from the last mission.

Also if we don't get ask we'll probably convert them anyway. We seem to have a compulsive need to.

>>25982717
Anything specific about the signals? Arcane power, divine blessings, that kind of shit?

Any leads on where they went?

>>25982746
>>25982771
Nah. I doubt that's doable. My guess is the boss's boss wants them either alive as an example or dead if we can't help it.

>>25982807

Well, he seems to mostly want answers about what's going on so he can react.

>>25982746
>>25982771
>>25982788
"Please don't. They're not scheduled arrivals, I want them brought to me, alive if possible."

>>25982785
"I'd appreciate it if you kept any of your entourage under your direct control. The last thing I need is your insane little companions stirring up shit without your supervision." His face softens.

"But by all means, take them as bodyguards if you feel the need."

>>25982806
"You know as much as I do. However there are places throughout the city where humans can be found or seek refuge, perhaps you could start there."

Your boss moves to leave. Anything else you want to ask?

>>25982860
Nope, wake our companions and lets explain our new job to them.

>>25982860

Nope.

Take the metal chick with us as a bodyguard. Let Gepette sleep.

>>25982872
agreed.

>>25982860
Nah, that's all. Let's get properly changed into something we can work in, and let's start cruising the town, starting with those human refuges.

>>25982920
>>25982912
>>25982902
>>25982872

You watch as Corost shuffles out of the door and gently close it behind him. Then you wander over to the coffee table, pick up an empty ceramic bowl, walk casually over to the hallway, and peg the heavy bowl right down the hall where it smashes into Argenta's door. A few moments later you hear a tired yawn as Argenta wakes up. That should do.

Entering your bedroom, you swiftly kick Geppette off the bed and head into the wardrobe as she tumbles off with a yelp. As you pull on that skirt and navy vest you were looking for, Geppete dizzily gets to her feet, blowing short bangs out of her face with her hand. She furrows her brow.

"Come on, get changed, we have work to do." you say, but it doesn't seem to register in her eyes, and you head back into the living room as the gears in Geppette's head slowly begin to rotate.

Argenta is already standing in the living room. A tall girl, Argenta's massive mace-like tail wags from side to side as she uncrumples her silky pink pajamas and hugs her battered pillow. Her translucent milky skin glistens in the morning sun.

"Revvie, what's up?"

You're about to explain when you hear a high-pitched yell behind you. Oh dear.

You duck as Geppette's white, naked body flies over your head, directly at Argenta. The no-nonsense Demon just scowls and sends out her tail, clubbing Gepette into the wall with a grunt. The diminutive and mischevious girl now had her massive tuning-fork horns stuck in the wall, and her butt wiggles mesmerizingly as she impotently tries to pull her head free in her morning stupor.

So, how will you explain the job? Or do you want to go and spank Geppette a bit, that's fine too?

>>25983028
I just wish they got along better.

So, which one do we want to take? I like Argenta more.

>>25983028
Spanking her works. While explaining.

>>25983028

Smack her until she's fully awake.

"We're after two targets, both human. They'll have a much stronger mortal scent than usual because they weren't cleansed when they came here. We need them both alive. Any questions?"

>>25983028
Business first, fade to black later.

"Ladies, we have a serious problem. A couple of human magic users came in through the portal twelve hours ago. As the guards didn't raise the alarm or otherwise stop them, means that this is an inside job. Therefore I need your help to help me capture these two humans as soon as possible. And yes I need the both of you."

>>25983096
Make sure to emphasize they should be alive and (mostly) in one piece.

>>25983082
spanking works.

This thread should probably get archived early, lest the shitposting archiver get to it first and label it with a bunch of patronizing shit.

Just a warning. polite sage

>>25983068
>>25983082
>>25983090
>>25983096

Instead of answering Argenta directly, you saunter over to Gepette. Her creamy white buttocks are prominently displayed, and you gently press your stomach against them, rubbing Geppette's thighs. Reflecting, you recall that since her transformation, Geppette's mental faculties had deteriorated to a more childlike, mischevious state. The doctor had said that she would eventually grow up, but needed to be raised well. A bit of discipline here and there...

Rearing up, you make your hand into a claw and roughly grab a fistfull of buttcheek. Geppette gasps. Giving it a squeeze, you release her flesh and then wind up for a slap.

Wham. Geppette squeaks.

And then you smack her again. And again. The yelps and gasps are music to your ears.

"Ladies, we have a serious problem. A couple of human magic users came in through the portal twelve hours ago. As the guards didn't raise the alarm or otherwise stop them, means that this is an inside job. Therefore I need your help to help me capture these two humans as soon as possible. Alive. And yes I need the both of you." You switch sides and start pounding Geppette's right cheek.

Argenta stops biting her lip as she watches and scowls at you. Unlike Geppette you can't exactly force the stronger Demon into submission.

"I'm not working with that nutjob." says Argenta, huffily. Geppette also chimes in between squeaks with "I dun wanna go anywhere with that sourpuss!"

You sigh. Looks like they aren't going to work together, and you don't exactly have time to force them. You spank Geppette some more as she starts to get teary-eyed and wet downstairs.

Which one will you take?

>>25983182
How about we take Argenta as we go for one human then switch with Gepette for the other one?

>>25983182

Argenta, obviously.

>>25983182
Argenta is the safer bet, as she has more discipline. Gepette is saved for more "chaotic" situations, and the last thing we want is a bill for collateral damage here.

>>25983235
I'll second this, take them one at a time, or alternatively, tell Gepette we won't take her if she does not behave

>Bright Lights, Hell City
Eh I would have gone with Bright Lights and Big Titties but that might be 2lewd

>>25983235
>>25983242
>>25983294
>>25983326

You give Geppette one final smack as she comes all over the floor, and walk over to the cupboard where you keep useful things.

"Okay, I'll take Argenta then, Geppette, you stay here and come find me if someone needs to give me a message or whatever." You begin fishing about through piles of crap.

Argenta sighs and walks back to her room, her tail poking a whimpering Geppette in her sore, purple-bruised bottom.

Aha. You fish out your map. Where will you go first?

The Ornate Enclave is a subsection of Ashfall. Resembling a large hollow pillar with several District buildings hanging off the side, transportation consists of walkways, elevators, and railcars as well as flying beasts and spider-like mounts. There are several levels, the top being the private towers of the Noble Sires, who are rich, educated Demons that help fund and run the battling clan wars down on the Waste as well as fulfilling high-class jobs in higher tiers of society. Below this are the Soul Ministry’s Districts, as well as their central building which is part of the pillar’s superstructure. Below that are various housing, goods and service, and entertainment levels, then finally the cargo and freight port.

Ornate Enclave Districts:
Top Level: Private Estates, Ascension Spire
Ministry Level: Soul Ministry Building, Department Of Demonseed, Hall Of The Lost, Legion Base
Residential District: Your Apartment, Bright Spark Bookstore and Café, Slave Quarters
Shopping District: Markets (Daemon Arms, Fatal Fashion, Grocery Bounty, Slave Stockyard), Broken Bone Bar, Legion Warehouses, Direweed Park
Recreation District: Mortal Delight Brothel, Bloodmoon Bath House, Tyr Arena, Blackstone Church, House Of Pleasure Stripclub, Tonic Trouble Bar, Skyterror Tours, Hell Atrium
Port: Slums, Arrivals, Departures, Cargo Field

If you need info, Geppete can tell you all about a location.

>>25983413
What district is the entry portal situated, if anywhere? Barring that, we should check the port first. No doubt someone laying low would hide out with the dregs first.

>>25983413

Ask which locations humans are more likely to visit. Also, ask for more information about Blackstone Church.

>>25983473

It's in the Department of Demonseed building.

>>25983481
Okay, that said, where do we know the big human refuges are?

>>25983413
>Port: Slums, Arrivals, Departures, Cargo Field
If this means that those two arrived here, we might want to visit the scene of the crime, so we can look for evidence to where they would be going.

>>25983511
They arrived in the Department of Demonseed, a few levels up. "Arrivals and Departures" probably involves intracontinental travel.

>>25983476

Geppette pulls her head free from the wall, trailing plaster, and yanks a scruffy-looking notebook full of paper out of nowhere. You've been encouraging her to keep up her reading and writing skills.

"Humans, huh? Well, I guess they'd go to the Slave Quarters and blend in! or uh, the slums, cuz there's lots of humans hiding down there already. Maybe the brothel? There's lots of people who might want or need humans."

As for the Church...

“The Church was built just a little while ago, actually.” Gepette shrugs. “You know that nun of yours set it all up. They only have a few members but she seems happy enough.”

What else will you ask?

>>25983636
Well, the report came in twelve hours ago, so the humans could've gotten anywhere in the tower by now. If they willingly came down here, I'd say they're looking for someone in particular. We should check out the slave quarters before heading down to check the port.

>>25983636

We'll check the slums, then possibly the slave quarters. They didn't come here looking for ass.

Send Gepette back to her room and head out with Argenta. Mention that we'll be more likely to take her along next time if her behavior improves.

>>25983711
>>25983732

So where to first, slums or slave quarters?

>>25983859
We can't scan an entire floor for the targets, can we? We have to go to a specific sector?

If they came here, looking for someone in particular, it's more likely to be someone hiding out in the slums, not someone working as a slave.

>>25983891

Yeah, you have to get close to catch the scent.

>>25983413
>Tonic Trouble bar
Damn, QM, that N64 reference be archaic as fuck.

>>25983859
Let's check the slums first. If their targets were smart at hiding, their saviors would be smart to find them there.

>>25984074

Slums it is.

---

You give Geppette a pet and tell her to behave while you're gone. With Argenta now fully dressed in a rather fetching gray suit, you and your bodyguard depart from your apartment.

Walking along a long, twisting bridge, you reach the main residential plaza, where skeletons, Demons, and monsters of all sorts bustle to and fro. Ignoring the rush, the pair of you make your way to one of the many cage-like elevators, and with a clank and the whir of ancient cables you descend down into the undercity.

The howl of the wind and the red light from the dark sun refresh your bodies, and you feel the tired alcohol haze lift from your shoulders. Time to go to work.

The Port was a very loud, radial structure with more open platforms than the other levels. You watch as airships and Felbeasts fly two and fro carrying cargo and supplies, and as your rickety capsule touches down in the pedestrian prominade, a pair of scowling warriors walk past. As you step out, you hear one of them muttering about a shadowy figure from the Slums who has been stealing food from their office. Argenta chuckles.
"It's always something."

You make your way down a set of stairwells across rusty platforms, and find yourself in a series of narrow, abandoned cargo container-lined streets. Up ahead you can see a cluster of campfires and cloaked individuals, and to the left and right several rows of box-huts. A ladder leads up to the side, and a narrow walkway suggests people live up there as well.

What's the plan?

>>25984248
Let's get some elevation and a bird's eye view. Any pings here?

>>25984248

Walk the streets checking for the scent. If we don't catch it, we'll check the higher floor. If we still don't find it, we'll start asking around to see if there are other, out-of-sight areas.

>>25984295
>>25984364

You decide to start from on-high.

Climbing gracefully up the ladder (followed less-gracefully by Argenta), you find yourself on a very narrow grating platform that hangs from chains attached to a series of opened-up shipping crates. Peeking into the first one you find an empty bedroll and a few pots and pans.
Quaint.

Your black shoes clink gently as you explore the upper platform. As you walk, any cloaked local who sees you immediately flees into the shadows, which makes questioning them difficult. You can smell humans in general, but no real noticable Human Realm tang.

"We're being followed," says Argenta, her tail tense. You turn to the giant and nod softly. Her eyes quickly glance over your shoulder and back.

So, there's someone watching us from the other side of the elevated street, you infer. Looking at your options, you could use your flame whip to swing across and surpise them or maybe just ignore it and hope they aren't aiming something nasty at you.

What's the plan?

>>25984571
SURPRISE, MOTHAFUCKA

>>25984571

>Indiana Jones stunt

>>25984571
Stunting, all day long

>>25984624
>>25984670
>>25984815

You grin and leap sideways like a dancer. As you feel gravity take effect you summon your searing flame whip and shoot it out towards the dangling hooks and chains from the catwalk above. Secured, you swing across with the greatest of ease and somersault onto the adjacent walkway, turning to face your stalker.

In front of you, clearly surprised, is a humanoid figure of clearly tall and thin appearance. It wears a full-body cloak and hood but you see thin arms holding an expensive looking bow with an arrow already notched. With a snarl the assailant turns to loose a shot at you when Argenta smashes into the platform behind them, her bare feet crumpling the walkway beneath you.

Boxed in, your mysterious attacker surprises you both and leaps down, using her bow as a handle for sliding down a steel wire onto the street below and running off.

Do you give chase?

>>25984880
Naturally.

>>25984880
of course, also, she probably has a seed, calling it now

we could use an archer[spoiler in bed]/spoiler

>>25984945
bossman said no conversions.

>>25984880
Maybe we're lucky and it's related to the case.
Maybe we're not and it's some random punk.

Should probably ask a few questions in either case.

>>25984880
Does she smell like Earth? Also, we're in Hell, how does that effect our casting?

As for the attacker, give chase, Argenta ought to be able to easily catch up with her, especially if we slow her down.

As we're giving chase try to grab hold of her with the flame whip and make her fall over, it'll make Argenta's job easier.

Is she cute?

>>25984880
Give chase!

>Yakety Sax

>>25984985
Revie already has her gimmick: 6 spells, 100% efficiency.

>>25985053
I know about the six spell thing, it says they regenerate over time on Earth, I was wondering if being in Hell changed our casting at all.

>>25985007
>>25984985
>>25984963
>>25984945
>>25984904

"After her!" you yell as you clamber onto Argenta's back. Your bodyguard leaps from the rapidly-collapsing walkway and you hit the ground as it falls free behind you, crushing a hobo in the process. Well, whatever.

Hopping off Argenta's back you split up down two streets as you follow after the speedy figure. As you run you can't smell any trace of Demonseed, but you're pretty far away and-

An arrow flies over your head. This bitch is serious!

Ducking and weaving, you feel like your infernal heart is going to have an attack as your prey vanishes into a cargo container. Your hair is a mess as you leap inside, whip at the ready...but then you see she's somehow prepared a crude hole at the back of the steel container and escaped. Fuck!

After slicing the rear of the huge box to bits and jumping through, you immediately get pelted by more arrows. You're in a concrete storage area with several pillars, and the attacking woman has chosen to stand and fight, it seems.

You duck behind a pillar, how do you want to play this?

>>25985076
In Hell she's on a 12-hour cycle to reload her slots.

>>25985137
Remind us of our spells.

>>25985168

Pastebin, first post

>>25984960
But if we just happened to "accidentally" convert her, could we really be blamed? After all, the way he phrased it had a lot of "please" and "if possible".

>>25985185
Can we pop a Sulfur Cloud not on top of ourselves? We need a smoke screen and a flanking maneuver. Whoever can get around her side and tackle her will win the fight.

>>25985137

"You've already failed. Your target has you cornered, and your quiver will be empty soon. Lay down your weapon and start talking."

>>25985137
How far away is Argenta currently? What's the range on Seduce?

How far away is the girl?

I say get behind cover and try talking to her, she knows that running won't work, if she really tries to run from here we can stop her by Skull Bombing ahead of her, dropping a sulfur cloud on her.

Start by trying to talk to her, it buys us time, and if Argenta catches up behind her while we're delaying her so much the better.

"This isn't very nice of you, just shooting at me out of the blue. Look sweetheart, you're going to run out of ammo soon and I don't want to hurt you. Why don't you just put down your bow, I'll put down my whip, and we can talk it out and nobody will get hurt. How does that sound?"

>>25985248
Either a Sulfur Cloud or a Skull Bomb. We need to get her on the defensive here so we can out maneuver her, which means forcing her out of her current position.

>>25985287
Say this as we prep the Sulfur Cloud/Bomb I suppose, get her talking and we can distract her.

>>25985192
I don't think the boss is going to be happy if we convert some poor shmuck for no reason. We've already got two ex-humans with their own various psychoses. Let's not bring another into the world. Besides, I'm sure they're wanting these perps un-altered. Perhaps we can convince them later to hand one over to us, though.

>>25985248

The cloud generates around you.

>>25985322
>How far away is Argenta currently?
Unknown, she took a different route.

>What's the range on Seduce?
Going to have to get within smoochy distance.

>How far away is the girl?
Other side of the yard but she keeps moving between pillars.

>>25985137
Stay in cover and advance carefully, as I doubt she'll intentionally try and get close to us. Once we're within range go for the legs with our whip. We need to find out who the hell she is.

>>25985379
We need to get close enought to her so we can use the Flame Whip on her bow. So manouver throught eh smoke cloud and try to close into her. Throw debris around so she shoots at where you are not.

>>25985517
Smart. Use distractions and a smoke screen to close the gap.

>>25985379
Okay, start by talking to her, if that doesn't work we can advance on her and use the smokescreen to get close enough to get close and deal with her bow.

Alternatively the Skull Bomb if it hits a pillar near her ought to make her take cover and the debris and smoke from the bomb ought to cover an advance.

So, Skull Bombs blast both smoke and shrapnel, right?

If we explode one against a column that the assassin is behind, she'll be blinded by the smoke, but still protected from the shrapnel by the column.

>>25985493
>>25985370
>>25985329
>>25985322
>>25985287
>>25985248

You frown. with a breathed chant, you summon a Skull Bomb into your hand. The tiny chittering explosive glows with baleful light.

"Look, you're going to run out of ammo sooner or later and-"
"Silence, Demon!"

A shrill, singsong voice fills the air.

"I may have only been in your world a short time but I know all-too-well your trick-words and double-meanings!"

You roll your eyes and jump out of cover, tossing the bomb into the middle of the open area. With a cry of alarm and half-formed curse the woman leaps from her position as a resounding boom and cloud of shrapnel fills the air. Taking advantage of the distraction you run over to the fallen attacker, but before you can get near enough to use you whip she's already on her knees and has thrown something at you.

Ouch!

You look down. Embedded in your thigh is a sliver-handled dagger. You groan with pain and annoyance as your momentum carries you down into a sitting position. As you try to wrest the knife from your reforming flesh you hear the notching sound of a bowstring, and look up to see an arrow pointed at your face.


...and then Argenta lands in front of her and smashes the bow into splinters before kicking the attacked into a concrete pillar. You guess that works too.

"You alright, Revie?" says Argenta, carefully helping you to your feet. You smile at her concern but demonstrate your recovering by yanking the fine throwing dagger out of your leg, licking at the crimson blood in a slow and deliberate manner.

The pair of you walk over to the defeated assailant, whose cloak has fallen loose. You get quite a view.

Before you sits a battered and dirty-looking yet proud Elf ranger, her fine mythril undershirt showing through tattered uniform and her family bow lying in splinters beside her. She has no Demonseed taint nor Human Realm scent and groggily waves a remaining dagger in your direction.

What now?

>>25985785
Bop her on the head and bring her into custody. It's not a human we're dealing with here.

>>25985785
she lives here. She might help us find our prey.

Use Seduce to get her to tell us everything.

>>25985785

Go ahead and kick that dagger out of her hand.

"Now, let's hear your reasons for shooting arrows at strangers so far from your home, hm?"

>>25985785
Sorry about your bow there, but you probably shouldn't open fire on people at random. Speaking of which, why did you try to shoot me? And don't say 'Because you're a demon', because that is hose shit. We're all over the place down here, and if you're just attacking whoever walks into view someone would have pulped you by now.

>>25985785
Restrain her, preferably secure her to one of the pillars if there is something around we can use for that. Then we see if we can't get her to talk willingly, figure out why she;s here and what's up with all the impolite trying to shoot us going on. Also figure out if she's alone.

"Now look, I'm not sure why you felt the need to try and shoot me, but you're not who I'm after. What did you hope to gain by killing me?"

If she won't talk willingly, we could always try Seducing her if we think she has important info.

>>25985785
Well take her in. Looks like we are not dealing with humans but humanoids. So the other guy could be a half-elf, elf or even a human. Also try asjking how she got her world's scent off her.

>>25985785
Ask Argenta to remove the dagger from her hands, gently. And to search her for more weapons.

As she's doing that we chat with her, if need be we'll Seduce her.

"You really are a cutie, haven't been with an elf in ages, such adorable ears that you just want to play with, almost makes me want to forgive you for attacking me. What's your name?

Well (Name), you've managed to gain my attention, I wasn't even after you in the first place until you stalked me and started shooting me. So why don't you tell me what's going on and why you decided it was a good idea to attack me.

If you make it good I might even forgive you, and I'm being honest here, no trick-words, no double-meanings. I've got my hands full without having to go through the trouble of killing you or bringing you into custody, I just want information. This was supposed to be my day off and I just want to deal with this and go back to my daily life of utter debauchery."

>>25985931

Pretty sure she isn't one of the targets, dude.

>>25985785
"This doesn't have to be unpleasant. All you need do is explain why you're here."

"We may be demons, but we're not inhuman."

>>25985931
They said humans, not humanoids, and our targets still smell like the mortal realm, she doesn't. But she may be involved.

>>25985785
Oh, dear. Let's confiscate her weaponry before she pokes out an eye with it and plumb her for some answers. What's an Elf doing way down Hadestown way? Is she working with anyone, and how did she get down here? She certainly didn't just wake up here.

>>25985945

>"I may have only been in your world a short time but I know all-too-well your trick-words and double-meanings!"
>"I may have only been in your world a short time

She could be. How the hell did she get her ansectral weapons here anyway?

>>25985995
A "short time" for an elf could be years.

>>25986015
So seduce her, ask when she showed up and if she came with others.

>>25985846
>>25985886
>>25985893
>>25985922
>>25985930
>>25985931


Argenta knocks the dagger away and lifts the Elf up as she spits a bunch of Elvish curses, restraining her arms behind her back.

"Hey there. I'm Revulvael."

She just glares.

"I'm down here looking for two humans, have you seen them?"

She spits at your feet. Welp, time to seduce.

You very quickly bring your head closer, eyes scintilating, and prepare to enter her mind-

Thwack!

You dizzily fall backwards. The Elf...headbutted you. Holy shit, you didn't expect that. Argenta restrains the Elf as she laughs proudly.

"I am Silmera Feathersong, Ranger of Flyndell! I do not care for humans nor for demons! If you think you can suck out my brains or whatever you Demons do, you can forget about it!"

Huh.

"So, you haven't seen any weird new humans about, in say, the last twelve hours?"
"Oh. Well, now that you mention it, yes I did."

You turn to face her again, and put on a professional smile.

"Yeah." She strains a bit. Perhaps this Elf wasn't as Elf-y as you though. "He was this really muscular guy and he was climbing up a pole to those Markets."

Huh.

"So what are you doing here?"
"I snuck onto a slave transport from my home Dimension a few weeks ago since you bastards took my little brother!" She snarls. "I'm not going to stop until I rescue him. You can throw me in jail but I'll just break out."

You don't doubt it.

What now?

>>25986039

We just burned through two spells, and still have one or both targets left. Let's not use up a third unless we have to.

>>25986059
let her go? She's not our problem and if she actually manages to break out her brother she might be useful.

Give her our card and set her free...

I assume we have a business card right?

>>25986059
Well well well, let's see if we can't broker her a deal here. She has scouting/tracking skills we could use to hunt this guy down. Any chance we could offer to help her find/release her brother an exchange for her cooperation?

>>25986059

"Start talking about that pair of humans. Perhaps -- if your information is good -- we can take a trip to the Slave Quarters later. I can't make any guarantee that your brother is there, of course, but you'll have a better chance than you would in prison or dead."

>>25986059
She could be lying. Let's take her in or to the nearest guard, so if she escapes and turns out to be one of the two, its not our fault.

Then to the markets she talked about.

>>25986059
"So why did you attack me cutie? Seriously, I was just walking around town.

I don't really care that much about you and your brother, but how about this. You cooperate like a good girl, help me find the people I'm looking for, give me your brother's name, and I'll look into your brother's situation, I'll probably be able to find him easier than you will.

How's that sound sweetheart?

Oh, and just as an aside, I've always wondered this. What's it like to get your ears rubbed?"

>>25986158
She's not one of the ones who came in. They were human and she doesn't smell like she's fresh from the Mortal Realm.

>>25986171
This. We might as well try to get some mileage out of this fight. We burnt two spells to catch her, dropping her off at a guard post won't do us much good when her skills could be enough to catch these guys easy.

Chances are she thinks all us demons are the same, so she went after the first important looking one she could find. that, or we just startled her while she was looking for her real target.

>>25986239
We used one spell, the skull bomb, using the whip doesn't take a slot, and we didn't Seduce her, I don't think it was used up.

>>25986239
So promise to help her find her brother in exchange for tracking down the humans?

>>25986268

We used a Sulfur Cloud too. See >>25985379.

>>25986299
he was answering a question, not saying we used it.

>>25986299
That wasn't it generating around us, that was him answering if we could make it generate somewhere other than on us.

>>25986171
>>25986158
>>25986153
>>25986130
>>25986109

Maybe this girl could be useful. You gesture for Argenta to let her go, and Silmera rubs her arms and looks at you suspiciously. You give her a non-threatening arms-raised gesture.

"Okay, so you attacked me because you thought I was coming to arrest you and prevent you from finding your brother. Well, how about this: If you help me find who I'm looking for, I'll help you find him. How does that sound?"

Silmera's ears twitch. Her silver-leaf circlet is slightly off-center, you gently reach over and adjust it and she doesn't shrink away.

"Well, how can I trust you? I need some sort of, you know, collateral!" Silmera says haughtily, and Argenta steps in.

"How about some new gear to replace the bow I crushed?" Silmera is surprised that Argenta can talk, but that gives way to an oddly cunning smile.

"Yeah! You take me to the markets and let me get some weapons, and then I'll help you find your smelly human animals. Then you help me find my brother. Deal?"

Is it a deal?

>>25986059
"Here's a deal: first, I won't have you restrained and fuck with your mind until you're a drooling mindless wreck. Second, I will look into the matter of assisting you in some way in finding your brother. No guarantees of success, nor does it guarantee what you might eventually find if you DO catch up with him. Third, if you behave yourself, I will consider allowing you to stay in my home as a guest. Which probably beats whatever you've been doing for food and shelter."

"In return, you swear three things: first, that you will assist in tracking down this human. Second, that you will behave yourself while you are here. No theatrics, no random self-righteous fiend slayings, no troublemaking. Third, while you are my guest, you will follow my lead so long as it does not conflict with your goal. If I tell you to sleep on the floor, you sleep on the floor. I tell you to back off someone, you back off. I tell you to kill, you kill."

"If you agree to this, we can set up a contract. If you would be amenable to a deal, we can negotiate. If you refuse, I will have no alternative but to hand you over to a higher authority. Who will not be so thoughtful."

>>25986349
Ding Ding Ding. Sounds like a solid contract to me

>>25986330
Don't try anything funny, or the contract is void.

>>25986330

"Only if you vow to behave yourself as a guest while you're here."

>>25986330
Don't promise on the brother. We might not have the time.
It's hard to type with one hand

>>25986450
The brother comes after the hunt, when we're not on the clock.

>>25986330
Use >>25986349

>>25986450

Word it the way I did previously.

"If your information is good, we can take a trip to the Slave Quarters later. I can't make any guarantee that your brother is there, of course, but you'll have a better chance than you would in prison or dead."

We don't know if her brother's even here, or alive.

>>25986330
Gently pinch her cheek. "Ooh, isn't this cute Argenta, she thinks she's in charge.

Look Silmera, I'll get you a bow and arrows so that you're more useful. Be aware that I'm in charge, you are to obey any orders that I give, you are to behave yourself under my watch, no going off to shoot random demons, no loud rants about the superiority of the Elven race, don't make trouble for me because that means I'll have to make trouble for you and neither of us want that.

I won't promise that I'll be able to find him, I have no guarantee that he's alive, that he's still in this region, but I will try to do so as long as it does not go against my own goals and livelihood. And I may not find him today, I'm rather busy today, but I will look into it when I have the time. If this extends beyond today you'll be staying with me, it'll be fun.

Is this understood cutie?"

>>25986349
>>25986355
>>25986387
>>25986399
>>25986441

"Do you promise to A: not kill anybody without reason B: not cause any trouble and C: Do what I say?"

Silmera nods and straightens her torn uniform, large breasts swaying gently beneath it.
"I shall represent my people at our best."

You shrug and move in closer, wrapping your arm around her shoulder. Silmera is suspicious, but doesn't push you away.

"In Hell this is how we seal deals."

With a push you bring your body up to hers and press your breasts against her own, moving your soft, cherry-lips in for a kiss. Silmera's beautiful Elven features soften as she realizes what you want...and lets it happen.

You lock lips with pure, uninterrupted passion. It tastes of spring, you reckon.

After your contract negotiation, Argenta takes the hand of the slightly dazed and giddy Elf and the three of you head back out of the Slums. The locals had all taken cover in the commotion and if Silmera was right you quarry probably wasn't here anyway.

Back in the prominade you explained your authority to the guards and that the Elf was a member of your entourage, which made them reluctantly back off.

A few moments later, and you were on the Shopping District Level. Where to?

>>25986555
Local armory. Let's get her a new bow right quick. We don't want this tangent to drag.

>>25986555
Start by asking Silmera where the muscular guy would have started in the shopping district, we'll stop there and see if the trail of Mortal Realm scent has anything or if anyone nearby, especially beggars, beggars and street kids are often the backbone of any urban information network, saw anything.

We'll be sure to visit Daemon Arms before we leave, get this girl a nice bow. We can consider getting her a new outfit as well.

>>25986555

Daemon Arms.

She still has her armor, and I'm assuming Argenta returned her dagger. We just need to replace the bow.

>>25986614
I agree. Make Sil useful before we go to work.

>>25986555
Get to an Armory and replace her bow, meanwhile talk to Sil about where she saw this guy and, if he was climbing up here, where he would have arrived in the Market. Once she's got a bo, we have her lead us there and look for signs, anything we could use to track him. Also try and get a batter descrition, "big muscular guy" isn't a lot to go on here.

>>25986631
>>We can consider getting her a new outfit as well.

Buy her a bow for her hair as well.

>>25986555
>>25986349
My favorite part about this contract? I designed it so that if we want to later, we can abuse the hell out of it so to speak.

There's no exit or termination clauses for her responsibilities to us, for example.

>>25986673
Buy the hair bow first as a joke.

Do eeet.

>>25986682
Well if we play our cards right she'll want to stay with us afterwards. Though I'm not sure Gepette would be happy about us taking an Elvish floozy home with us.

File: 1373702361509.jpg-(21 KB, 445x270, WileE.jpg)

21 KB JPG

>>25986682
Sounds like my kinda deal

>>25986682
>>25986673
>>25986670
>>25986640
>>25986635
>>25986631
>>25986614

After a short trek through the midday crowds (who spent quite a bit of time gawking at the ratty-looking Elf), you arrived in the Market. A dizzying display of stalls stretches out before you ringed by shops full of knick-knacks, potions, poisons and other products of varying description.

After dragging Silmera away from a booth full of fresh fruit, you arrive in front of Daemon Arms, a large double-storey store that sold wholesale weapons, armor, and featured a weaponsmith master on the second floor. As you enter, Silmera runs on ahead, her eyes glistening with wonder like a kid in a candystore. You tell Argenta to follow her and get her kitted up while you wander past a rack of halberds and stop at the front counter.

Behind this wooden bench sits a rather-bored looking older Demon, with a bull head and bronze skin, and at least four muscular arms. Sharp blue eyes glower down upon you as he puts his book down.

"Are you from the Ministry?" he rumbles, leaning forward.
"Yes. Have you seen any suspicious mortals around lately?"
The massive Demon is silent for a moment, then stands to his cloven feet.
"No, I haven't. But someone who smelled of the Mortal Realm broke in about an hour ago while I was out to lunch and stole a suit of armor and a sword." He puffs a cloud of smoke from his nostrils.
"I don't suppose you'd know what that was about? Are you using this as an excuse to steal my apparatus?"

You suddenly realize that you're being suspected of something. How will you answer his accusations?

>>25986821
"Psh, please. If it's what I suspect, I'm actually on contract to hunt said human down. You have any way to track where your gear went? I'm sure even you have anti-theft measures."

>>25986821
"If I wanted your stuff I'd be wearing a skimpier outfit and I wouldn't be asking you about this.

Look, you want your stuff back, I want to find the person wearing said stuff. Got anything more that can help?"

>>25986821

"The more information you can give me about the thief, the better your chances are of seeing the merchandise he took again."

>>25986821
Blow it off, maybe bat our eyelashes a little bit (not too much, otherwise he'll thin we're trying to pull one over on him). Ask him if he has any way to track the armor, or can tell us what it looks like at the very least. Then make sure our little elf isn't getting herself lost.

>>25986821
"I don't care about your apparatus, unless it's what the human stole. I merely wish to capture the fool, turn him in, complete my mission, and go back to my time off."

"If I can return the stolen goods in the process I will do so, if you'd tell me exactly what I'm looking for."

>>25986885
>>25986908
>>25986919
>>25986932
>>25986946

"It's not the merchandise I'm concerned about, it's..." The Smith furrows his brow, but then gestures for you to follow him.

You head up the creaky stairs to the second level behind the Demonsmith. The second floor consists of a very large, dark room with a pile of weapons and armor and other junk in one end, and a very big, strange-looking machine at the other mounted on a large Obsidian Dais. Next to the pile of weapons and armor is a boarded-up window that had been pried open. You guess that is where your quarry entered.

"The reason I'm worried is that whoever broke in would have seen this," the Demonsmith managed, pointing to the giant machine...that seemed to have a humanoid inset into it. He turns to you.

"You said you're following this person, well, make sure he doesn't tell whoever he works for about this, or the Ministry will suffer for it. After all, you and your fellow Ministry workers will be using it anyway."

It seems this device is some sort of prototype. Maybe you can give it a test-run?

>>25987067
"What exactly is it? What does it do?"

>>25987067

In Shining Force, trying something like this out would get you turned into a chicken.

This isn't Shining Force.

Let's do it.

>>25987067
Turn on the charm and see if he'll spill the beans on what this thing is. Since we're supposed to use it, I doubt he'll be all that worried about letting us know.

>>25987067
Ask what it does; and decline to climb inside if he won't say anything.
Definitely seems like something sketchy.

>>25987067
We can ask what's it's about but no to test run, we have to capture a pair of humans not tinker with some unknown device.

>>25987067
We should ask what it does, but first, get outside and look for their trail.

If they were here only an hour ago, the scent might still be fresh!

Quickly, before it fades.

>>25987067
Ask what it does, but don't dawdle. We need to hunt this human down.

>>25987067
ask what it does, lets not be retarded

>>25987101
>>25987113
>>25987119
>>25987132

"Put simply..."

The old Demon walks over to the machine and pulls a lever. There is a loud grinding of gears as two massive arcane vats rise into place above it and a large tray emerges beneath.

"I call it a Soulforge."

He points to the indent.

"You insert a living human here, and using the specially-treated energies and liquid metal in these two vats, transform them into a super-spiritual form them seal them within a blade."

He gives the tray a kick.

"The resulting weapon is alive, and uses the living entity inside to give the bearer heightened reaction speed, increased power and other benefits. The living weapon can talk and has the ability to transform into a humanoid form but only when the bearer holds the handle, of course. Essentially it is another method for Hell to utilize humans, especially those who lack Demonseed."

He turns back to you.

"You can see why the Ministry wouldn't want anyone finding out if I was building this."

Well, you'd need a fresh human from the Slave Stockyard a few streets over.

Will you go find Silmera and Argenta?

>>25987240
yep, lets find the girls before they get carried away shopping

we'll have to keep and eye out for a promising candidate for the soulforge

>>25987240
It's all the more reason to find those humans. Link up with Argenta and Silmera and let's track him down.

>>25987240
Let's go find Silmera and Argenta, just look for the Elf getting wet over bows.

While a fancy sword would be nice I think that'd take time we don't have. We'll look into it in the future maybe, but if we need something beat up today we just politely ask Argenta.

>>25987240

Let's go to the fashion shop nearby and buy the other bow for her first, then come back and surprise her with it.

Besides, she might need a little more time to pick something out.

>>25987240
Get the human's scent then get the ladies. Going hunting, baby.

>>25987240
We need to sniff around outside. The trail might still be fresh.

Once we've got the trail and know what direction to go in, go find Argenta and set off.

To echo many others, get the scent, then get the ladies.

>>25987362
>>25987360
>>25987329
>>25987301
>>25987287
>>25987283

You nod to the Smith that you'll get right on finding him, then stick your head out the window. The trail seems to lead directly out...towards the Broken Bone Bar across the street. Hm.

You head downstairs and call out to the others but the words die in your throat as...Silmera...?

Standing before you is an elf dressed in a spiderweb-printed metal corset, spiked breastplate that showed off ample cleavage, a chain-skirt, black metal fuck-me boots, spiked armbands, black leather gloves, and blonde hair tied back in a tight bun. Silmera's new outfit was not the only thing she had acquired, the Elf was grinning as she brandished a gigantic spiked warhammer.

"I found some things, don't I look fetching?"

Argenta stands behind her, and gives you a shrug.
"She sold her mythril to pay for it."

Silmera smiles at you, clearly expecting some sort of compliment on her ability to "fit in".

What do you say? Also, where to next?

>>25987468

Give her a pat and a peck on the cheek.

Then we follow the trail.

>>25987468
That's a, uh, thing.
I'd say slap her silly and get changed back. How can you track stuff wearing THAT?

>>25987468
You wore your practical clothes, and so did Argenta.

Why should she get to have all the fun?
What would her brother think if he saw her dressed like this?
Does she really think this is practical?

>>25987468
>spiderweb-printed metal corset, spiked breastplate that showed off ample cleavage, a chain-skirt, black metal fuck-me boots,
*Wipe the drool from our chin*

"Not what I was expecting, but I like it. A warhammer? You sure you're an Elf?

Anyway, I found the trail, let's go."

We are so keeping this Elf once this is over.

>>25987468
As long as she can still track in it. Make sure she also has a bow.

Pat her on the head and kiss her on the cheek. "You'll fit in just fine dear. It suits you."

>>25987567
>>25987578
This. We brought her along to track people, not to be eye-candy. Make sure she can do that, then head our way over to the bar.

>>25987567

Apples to oranges.
We regenerate, and Argenta is metallic.
Elves are squishy.

>>25987567
"Would your brother like that?"

>>25987574
>We are so keeping this Elf once this is over.
yes we are

hrm, maybe a candidate for the soulforge, turn her into a bow?

>>25987468
"...Can you run in those heels, let alone track?"

Ok, Broken Bone Bar, Silmera goes in first with Argenta to distract everyone inside. Then you go in to follow the scent. Tell Both of them to get ready to back you up.

>>25987578
>>25987574
>>25987567
>>25987504
>>25987518

You hesitate, but sigh and go with it. She seems still be able to move about quickly enough. You give Sil a pat on the head but she takes your hand and kisses it, knocking you flat-footed somewhat. Forward, this one.
"A warhammer? Are you sure you're an Elf?" You smile. "It suits you. Let's go."

With your new Elf of questionable Elfishness in tow, the three of you head over to the Broken Bone. As you approach it becomes apparent things inside are rather hectic as a pair of skeletons are thrown out the door while a huge crowd inside roars. Oh, of course.
"The Cup is today." says Argenta, referring to the big Inter-City Triathlon. The bars are full of cheering patrons watching the event.

"Argenta!"

Suddenly a rotund piglike Demon bursts out of the crowd and grabs Argenta's hand, which causes your friend to recoil in surprise. You and Sil watch as Argenta is dragged into the fray.

"Please, I need you to help me, Argenta! This crowd is a nightmare!" "Well..." Argenta is a skilled bouncer and well-known at several bars and clubs.
"I'll pay you double! In advance!"
Argenta shoots you an "I'm sorry but money" look and disappears into the throng.

Looks like it's just you and Sil now. You feel the Elf tug on your sleeve.

"I can smell human. It's heading over to those cage contraptions."

She points at the lifts going up to the Residential District.

Well hang on. The target is clearly going up. If you move now, would it be better to catch him on the residential block, or take a chance and head up to the Ministry's block and try to set up a trap?

>>25987468
"There's a point where this sort of thing can be overdone, and I think the boots might have crossed it."

"Can you move in that getup? It's harder than most mortals think."

>>25987761
Chase him down and stay on him. We don't know his itinerary, so we don't know if he's passing through towards the Ministry's block.

>>25987761
Well, if these guys got here with Ministry help, them moving up to the Ministry level would makes sense if they needed more instructions/were going after someone in particular. I say we get to the Ministry level, try to head him off where we know he's likely to be going. Us constantly beig one step behind isn't gonna do us much good.

>>25987761
if we can

contact Gepette and get her to setup at the Ministry's block while we chase into the residential block

if we can't

set the trap and keep an eye out

>>25987761

...
We're going to have a serious talk with Argenta later.

Move fast, go after the target.

>>25987761
We haven't even seen the perp yet. Best to try and head him off at the Ministry.

>>25987761
>Residential District
>Where we live
>Where Gepette is....

MESSENGER BAT! Send our bat home and give our sweet little doll a run-down of what's happening.

Tell her to try and pick up the scent of the Mortal Realms and intercept them.
We'll take an elevator to the level above and try to pick up the scent there.
If we don't find it, we'll work our way back down and meet up with Gepette.

>>25987821
>>25987824
>>25987874
>>25987904

Enough games, you decide, and pull a tiny rod out from beneath your boobs.

"What's that?" Sil comments. You grin.
"Geppette, you there?"
The recorder sparks. It's a one-shot device that will burn out quickly, but it's handy in an emergency.
"Geppette when you get this, I want you to search the entire block for a human that smells like Earth. Don't kill him."
You then hold up the tiny rod and whistle loudly. A few moments later the flap of leathery wings descends and a messenger bat carries your little message up into the sky.

Right. You turn to Sil.

"There's a few different ways to climb up quickly. We can rent a Felbeast, an Arakido Climber, or commandeer and airship."

What to do?

>>25988001
SKY PIRATES

>>25988001

Commandeer an airshrimp, if we have the authority to do so.

>>25988015
>airshrimp
hell is a weird place with interesting taste in seafood...

>>25988001
Whatever is fastest. Time is an issue here.

>>25988001
>out-of place newcomer looking for a family member
>seasoned investigator with a soft spot for the new kid
>both are working together on a manhunt for people who have successfully pulled off an inside job
>commandeering vehicles
>extreme sexual tension

We are stars in the greatest buddy cop movie ever made.

>>25988001
>>25988081
also commandeer the airship

>>25988011
>>25988015
>>25988026
>>25988051

"Airship!" cries Sil, a little too eagerly. Well, you guess it's the best option, and make a run for the radial edge of the District. As you pass scores of confused shoppers, you spot a docked freight airship at a mooring, and leap aboard. The driver is confused as Sil bats him out of the seat and onto the platform, and rubs his horned head as you inform him his vehicle has been co-opted by the Ministry. At the controls, the dumpy little zeppelin gains altitude as you plot a course up the Spire towards the Ministry's block.

"Incoming!"

Sil ducks as a flaming crossbow bolt flies past and a black, unmarked airship appears. On the deck are a group of armored Skeletons and Demons, one of which was armed with a crossbow.

Looks like they're going to try and board you.

What's the plan?

>>25988167
"You should have got a bow, Sil."

How far are we to our destination?

>>25988167
Buncha cocksuckers trying to board us in the middle of a Ministry operation. It's a zeppelin, so all we have to do is perforate their balloon. A Skull Bomb might do the trick, if we can't already escape them.

>>25988167
how exactly do these airships work? are they like balloons or something, with hot air being the way they ascend and all?

>>25988216
>How far are we to our destination?
Not far, but they're very close.

>>25988232
>how exactly do these airships work? are they like balloons or something, with hot air being the way they ascend and all?

They have simple engines to push them in a direction but yeah.

>>25988301
If they're close enough to hit the balloon with the flame whip do so. Otherwise we may have to hit it with a skull bomb if they keep on firing on us instead of getting closer.

>>25988301
Dump the cargo. It's probably what they're after, and we need to move.

>>25988301
Looks like we may have to use Skull Bomb if they get too close. Full speed ahead!

>>25988315
>>25988337
>>25988339

"You should have got a bow, Sil."

You tell Sil to dump the cargo crates, and she happily kicks them over the side, giving you a burst of speed. Kicking up the engines you make a beeline for the Ministry level, but another crossbow bolt whizzes past. Getting closer.

As you approach the landing site, one of the guards there sees you coming. You know the guy and wave to him, which causes the Demon to yell out to some of his armored compatriots. The group pull out crossbows and start shooting at the zeppelin behind you.

However, it's not quite enough and the third crossbow bolt slams into your engine, causing the airship to begin to spiral out of control. Yelling to Sil to hold on, you do your best to angle the bow towards the dock and-

Crunch! Your downed vessel crashes into the gap between the moorings and the rigging gets tangled. You stand up on the slanted undercarriage and crawl over to Sil. She seems to be fine if a bit dazed, and you both watch as the other airship (having been perforated by hundreds of arrows) slams into the platform above you. Soon, the sound of swords and battle fills the air.

Then you hear a manly grunt from behind you. Turning around, you and Sil spot a small figure climbing up the massive load-bearing chain that connected the Districts to the Spire. He was wearing a silver breastplate and had a silver sword on his back. Sil points.

"That's him."

What do you do? You can't reach him as is, but you could try to call out to him. Or you could try climbing up the rigging onto the platform above where the two sides are fighting.

>>25988435
Call out and demand his surrender if he values his life.

>>25988435
if theres another airship around take it

if not, start climbing

>>25988435
Don't call out to him. He seems to be a professional. We got to keep the element of surprise on our side.
Climb up the rigging. We're nailing this guy.

>>25988435
I doubt he's going to stop because he was told to, he's determined as fuck. Climb up the rigging and try to get ahead of him, we need a position of leverage.

>>25988535
>>25988556
Fair enough.

>>25988535
>>25988556
>>25988503

You doubt you can stop this guy from here. You turn to Sil and tell her to start climbing the rigging.

After a bit of a struggle, you finally manage to reach the platform. You pull Sil up behind you as one of the guards comes over to you.

"Hey Revulvael. We fought those guys off, they were pretty well-trained. Who did you piss off?"
"None of your business." you manage, "But thanks for the help."
The guard nods. "Also, the chief wants to see you over at the Soul Ministry."
"I'm kind of busy right now but I'll keep it in mind."

You drag Sil off and head towards the central grounds where the chain passes through the District. The Ministry is very clean and mostly dotted by government buildings, separated by a few food vendors and well-kept green parks. After a long, tiresome run, you make it to the central chain...just as the human hops up onto the block's platform.

Standing in front of you is a tall, muscular, handsome human male with curly blonde hair, simple armor, and leather pants...and nothing else. He grins at you without a hint of malic. You and Sil just stare.

"Greetings madam," says the human in a chiselled, gruff yet friendly voice, "I am looking for a very close friend of mine. Her name is Annie. I'm Herus, Hero of Antaven." His teeth sparkle. "Perhaps you've heard of me?"

What do you say to this heroic fellow?

>>25988676
He smells like Earth, right?

>>25988676
Turn on some charm and some seduction.
"No, I haven't mighty hero, why don't you teach me who you are?"

>>25988676
"No I haven't. and unless she was with you when you illegally came here, I don't care. I'm here to take you in for illegal entry into this realm and to find your accomplice as well."

or something along those lines

>>25988676
Butter him up until he spills any helpful info about where Annie would be.

The Ministry is nearby, so we could easily have him taken into custody afterward, or he could be a useful ally as we search for Annie.

Win-win.

>>25988676
Turn the charm on, this is quite literally our job description, to find people like this and charm/seduce them.

"Sorry, I haven't yet, but I would love to get to know you mighty hero. It's not often I see men like you around.

This Annie girl, what's she like? Why would she be here?

What brings a man like you to a place like this?"

>>25988779
ill second this

>>25988676
Turn on the charm and get him talking.
Get as close as we can, then, Sulfer Cloud and rush him.
Once we're in smoochy range, Seduce him.

>>25988779
second this, a lot better than my idea.

>>25988779
>>25988769

You can smell the Earth radiating off of him. You smile, and step forward.

"Sorry, I haven't yet, but I would love to get to know you mighty hero. It's not often I see men like you around. This Annie girl, what's she like? Why would she be here?" Herus returns your smile in the most innocent way.

"Annie is my childhood friend, we met as kids and she's always been very dear to me." The hero stretches as he talks. "However one day a group of thugs came upon us when walking home from Church and the next I know were were being wrestled out of a strange building and into an alleyway by some odd-looking men." He points to the Department of Demonseed. "That's the building. At any rate, I was able to break free but my poor Annie was captured! I have to save her."

So, the man and his lady-friend were taken by someone in the Human Realm, smuggled through the Portal, then Herus escaped while Annie disappeared.

What now?

>>25988844
Convince him to come quietly and go into custody with the promise of looking for Annie. Ask what the thugs looked like.

>>25988844
Keep on approaching him, get into smooching range so we can Seduce him. We want this guy in our pocket.

"Poor girl, I'm sure she'll be alright, we'll find her. Do you have any ideas about where she'd be? What's she like? What did the thugs look like, any identifying markings?"

>>25988870
We may not need to Seduce him. Dude just wants to go home with his lady-friend. Just promise to find her and to wait in Ministry custody until then.

>>25988888
We might not need it, but I'd rather not risk that.

He's one of our main objectives, doesn't seem like the sort to go quietly, and having him under our thumb would make getting Annie much easier.

>>25988896
But he IS going quietly. He's made no aggressive moves towards us, and actually explained his case rather openly. He's willing to cooperate, and we only have so many spells.

>>25988912
he might not go quietly unless we take him with us to search for Annie.

So whatcha gonna do?

>>25988944
Squeeze Fabio here for information on the thugs who took Annie, then, assuming we can't immediately dump him in Ministry custody (he has some armor to return, anyway), have him help find her.

>>25988944
I'm saying get close, keep him talking, keep charming him, and Seduce him.

I don't think he's go easily, he might run off if we don't, having him under our thumb makes finding Annie a lot easier. I don't think he'll want to go into Demonseed custody and the only way to safely take him with us without fear of betrayal or him running off is to Seduce him.

>>25988944
"Very well, I will help you find your friend on one condition. the two of you will accompany me back to my boss, who will ask you a few questions, after which I'm sure we'll send you on your way back to Earth. That sound fair to you?"

>>25988959
We'll seduce him if we NEED to. Right now, we don't NEED to.

>>25988959
he seems like a nice boy, if a bit naive. I think all we need to do is promise to help find his friend and he'll come with us.

>>25988944
Get info first. Details on the people who grabbed him. More about himself and his friend, why might someone from Hell want them.

He mentioned coming from a church. Just parishioners or Holy Warriors? Do they have Angel-fu?

If we get an opening, Seduce.

>>25988968
Haha, that's very open-ended. I like it.

>>25988997
We don't need to Seduce. He's cooperating already, and I don't want to waste a spell.

>>25989013
indeed. waste not, want not and all that jazz

>>25988990
>he seems like a nice boy, if a bit naive. I think all we need to do is promise to help find his friend and he'll come with us.

This is assuming he's being honest and some/all of this isn't just a cover story.

We don't know that and taking the risk could ruin the mission. If we Seduce and Mindslave him, we can get all the info we need with zero risk of him lying or turning on us.

>>25989021
Ooooooor we could just ask nicely and play to his needs. Right now, his need is to find Annie. You don't see us seducing Sil, do you?

>>25989013
>>25989015
Guys, read the descriptions of this guy. He's far to calm and collected for this to be true.

If he was just an innocent mook, abducted and dragged into Hell, he'd be waaay more freaked out right now.

>He grins at you without a hint of malic.
Who offers a random Demon a friendly smile in this situation.

He is not what he's pretending to be.

>>25989056
He's had twelve hours to adjust.

>>25989056
who knows, maybe he isn't very smart and thinks this is all fun. or maybe he's always dreamed of being the hero and suddenly "holy shit, I can be a hero and save the damsel in distress!"

seriously, let's at least try to be reasonable, and if it comes to it, THEN we'll seduce him.

>>25988949
>>25988959
>>25988968
>>25988990
>>25988997

"I could help you look for her."
"Oh," says Herus, giving you a visual appraisal. "Well, I suppose you do look like some sort of town watch secretary or something."
Thank god you picked conservative!

You ask Herus about who kidnapped him, but apparently he was unable to make out their clothes in the blackness. His church was just a local one, and he can't think of any reason for him being kidnapped. That said, you can smell Demonseed about him, but you wonder if that's really the answer...

"So, this is the missing person?"

Fuck.

You turn around and see the last person you wanted to see. Behind you, flanked by her guards, is Chief Shezra, the commander of the Ministry's Secret Police. You've butted heads in the past, she being an uptight woman and you being a total slut. Shezra is dressed in her black uniform and scowls at you with her famous canine face. She's more like a werewolf than a Demon, you think to yourself.

With a snap of her fingers, the guards force their way between you and Herus, who draws his sword.
"Foul beastmen, I was in the middle of a conversation!"
The guardsmen don't care and draw their own weapons. Herus, not wanting to be cornered, lashes out with his broadsword and battle is joined when his blade cleaves a skeleton in half.

(con't)

>>25989108
Sighing, you turn to Shezra who walks up next to you. Sil is rather bemused by all this and stands to the side. Shezra gives you another scowl.
"Look, Revulvael." she growls in her deep, throaty voice, "Corosticul told you that the suspects arrived from the Department Of Demonseed building. I was also put on this case and was waiting for you there to check the scene of the crime, which you didn't. Instead I hear about you running all over the city with some Elf dominatrix and just when my spies discover the fugitive you turn up and try to take all the credit? That's not happening. I'll take custody of this human, you go over to the Department building and figure out what happened to the other one. Then you report to me where she is. Are we clear?"

In the background Herus has managed to down several guards and is already sprinting off down the plaza walk, sword in hand. Shezra see this and orders her guards after him, sprinting off on four legs herself. She briefly turns around and gives you a look that says "I gave you an order and I outrank you, bitch" and then returns to her chase.

Sil comes up and gives you a pat on the shoulder.
"What do we do now?"

>>25989116
Bitch. Literally.

Well, that's technically one accounted for, so we can head for the church and investigate the disappearance of the other. Also, chide Sil that she's getting her old clothes back after this.

>>25989116
"Fucking bitch. I had everything in hand and she decides to ruin it. This was supposed to be my day off."

Also, we should have seduced him.

Head to the Department building, track down the girl.

>>25989153
Seduction wouldn't have mattered; Shezra would've still cocked it up.

>>25989116
>>25989108
Bitch boss does have a good reason. Should have went to the scene of the crime first. But still, we were nearly about to calm him down and get him to surrender.

Check the alleyway. We need to find the girl.

>>25989116
hm...
While it would be bad to go against a higher ranking officer's orders...
screw it, let her have her headache. we'll find the girl, bring her back, report how the bitch interrupted us as we were apprehending the other subject peacefully, due to misplaced pride, and hopefully at least get her reprimanded.

>>25989165

(well, the idea is that if you'd met Shezra earlier she wouldn't have butted in now, but on the bright side since you weren't wearing something skimpy Herus gave you relevant information, and so forth. Seduce would have worked but it might make things difficult in future depending on how you handle Annie, etc)

>>25989116
We were given orders by the Grand Soul Administrator of Ashfall City. Does the Chief of Police out rank him?

Is she part of our chain of command?

If the answer to either of these is 'no'. Fuck her.
We got a mission.

We had the fucker then her and her idiot guards just chased him off!

>>25989186
Yet another reason I wanted to avoid seduction: it would've cocked up the dynamic between Herus and Annie, and it would've been an all-new mess.

>>25989201
She's SECRET police.
Ooooo. Spooky.

>>25989201
>>25989181
>>25989153
>>25989151

You swear a bit and kick a comatose guard.

Sil gives you a cuddle. It's kind of painful since she's covered in spikes, but you appreciate it. You give her a kiss on the cheek.

"The way I see it," says Sil, "We need to check that building to see if any clues were left on who took that lady. If we find the lady, that weird human will totally do what we say."

Can't fault that logic. Though Sil is also not un-cuddling. Maybe you should do something about that at some point.

At any rate, where to?

>>25989245
For an elf vowing to rescue her brother, she's become awfully touchy-feely.

The obvious answer is to head for the church and surrounding area to try and get a lead on the goons who took Annie. They must have connections somewhere around here.

>>25989245
The building, see if there's a trail there to find Annie.

"Sil darling, you're wearing far too many spikes to make cuddling practical, we can take it off of you later."

>>25989245
check that building for clues.

>>25989257
>head for the church and surrounding area
He was talking about a church in the Mortal world. He was grabbed near there and dragged to Hell.

>>25989257
The Church he was in was in the mortal world, it's not the church that Argenta set up.

>>25989245
Time to look for clues and evidence. Go to the building

>>25989296

(Not Argenta, the nun from the first Quest)

>>25989313
which one was the nun, wasn't she the fat one?

>>25989288
>>25989296
You know what I meant.

>>25989313
Oh yeah, her, I forgot about her for a bit. Never caught our eye like Gepette or Argenta.

>>25989296
Argenta was a high-ranking paladin abandoned by her faith.

>>25989313
Ah, our first Demonseed (in the quest, at least).

So, just making sure, Department building first?

>>25989348
Yup.

>>25989348
Yes.

>>25989348
yes

>>25989348
Sure.

>>25989351
>>25989368
>>25989372
>>25989383


You push the clingy Elf off and head over towards the Department Of Demonseed.

Located on a raised, fenced platform and built with multiple levels and a deployable fence to prevent rampages, the Department building resembles a mix between an elegant mansion and a mental asylum. The front doors are barred and guards are holed up in front of it, so you instead around to the side alleyway between some gnarled trees, the wall, and the fence.

Stopping still in the alleyway you and Sil can both clearly notice the smell of magic, however it splits into two lines and dissipates very quickly. Sil suggests you change your thinking and the two of you follow the scent back into the building through a small side entrance that Sil smashes open with her hammer. Inside you find yourself in a little guardroom where a single guard sits snoring away. Next to him is a gourd of bloodwine. You dip your sensitive tongue in- it's been drugged. Also, judging by its' cold state, you can tell it's been here since the night before.

"So, nobody was bribed, just this side entrance guardpost was put to sleep?" Sil comments, her golden hair glistening under the interior lights.

Ahead there are two stairways, leading up and down. The upper one leads to the holding pens, while the lower one leads to the rear offices.

Where to?

>>25989394
She goes up, looks around, asks anyone there if they know what happened.

We'll check the offices for clues.

We find anything we yell for the other.

>>25989394
Holding pens. Most convienient way to hold a person is there.

>>25989394
holding pens, the interesting stuff is there

>>25989420
Take Sil with us. I'd prefer not to let her out of our sight.

>>25989405
>>25989420
>>25989441
>>25989449

You drag Sil up the stone steps, taking care to not make too much noise. Eventually you reach a large open area that leads to a long open corridor full of iron cells. Sil clings to your arm slightly.
"What's this place? I can taste misery and madness."
"This is where they bring humans that carry the Demonseed," you say. "We Demons normally reproduce using the Seeds released by the fires on the surface, but we also find them inside certain Humans. By awakening them, we transform them into Demons like us, though the result can sometimes go sour." You gesture to the cages ahead.
"Those are the humans who via augury and soothsaying have been revealed to be almost certainly beneficial to society. So they're brought here and turned in the best of care."
"Yah, that's basically right."
A tired voice makes you jump. You and Sil turn to see a rather fat piglike Demon sitting on a stool, his executioner's hood and massive axe next to him. He's panting heavily.
"You're from the Chief, right?"
"Yes." you lie. He brightens up.
"Good. The Chief ordered me to either transform or kill the last couple of Humans here, but I could only manage to transform two, you see. I'm not as healthy as I once was." He points to a ledger.
"Take that, and go and see if you can awaken some more. Otherwise I'll have to kill them, and that'd be wasteful."

You hesitantly pick up the ledge. There are four names and cells listed. Will you go check them out or leave the executioner to his grisly work?

>>25989512
Check the names and the people in the cells. See if any on them is named Annie and answers the question, "Who were you brought here with?" with Herus.

>>25989512
check em

>>25989512
Let's check them out.

>>25989512
Check them out, try to smell Human, look at the names on the Ledger.

>>25989512
check them out, or else it will look suspicious.e

>>25989512
Check em.

>>25989526
>>25989530
>>25989535
>>25989548

You take the Ledger and walk along the cell corridor, stopping at the first name. Opening the view-slit, you peer in at Mukkar. He is a dark-skinned man dressed in a turban and light clothes. You see he came from the South and is seems well-built.

The next cell contains a rather gnarled-looking old man. Jeol, as he is known, is a shipwright, and comes from a thriving port city. The old man peers up at you from behind thick-looking glasses. You move on.

The third occupied cell surprises you, as it contains two young siblings, a boy and a girl. Wearing skimpy traditional dress, the tanned skin of Kasa and Kasul has a lovely texture that you find yourself admiring even as the two young Humans cower in the corner at the sight of you. According to the list they are dancers and fortune tellers.

The last chamber looms. You open the slit but a pale white pair of fingers shoot out and nearly poke your eyes! Inside a young woman yells at you, you catch sight of a curvy, well-developed young adult's body dressed in druid robes. This is Basanna, a young druid from the Great Forest. She seems pretty fiesty.

So, what next?

>>25989597
... TO THE SIBLINGS FIRST.

also, excuse me for not reading up, but how exactly does the conversion process work?

>>25989597
I think BasANNA is Annie, Herus' friend. Ask her who she was she kidnapped with. She answers right (Herus) then she'll get to be with Herus once our secret police chief catch him.

>>25989597
I'm gonna say convert the siblings first

>>25989654
is good, we should do this first, then start converting

>>25989621

Use up a spell slot, give them a tap, step back and watch.

>>25989654
>>25989661

You call out to Basanna, asking about who she was abducted with.

"What? Nobody bloody came with me you filth monsters! Take me home!"

>>25989714
I see... and I think we have 5 spell slots left, correct? yeah, go for the siblings. be nice to them, try to be a bit comforting.

>>25989714
Smell around, see if it smells like Earth here.

Ask the prisoners about other prisoners, see if they know anything about Annie and what's his face.

>>25989714
"You don't know Herus? Oh well."

If she doesn't know Herus, then this might be a dead end. Lets go down stairs to the rear offices

>>25989739

Yeah. Best to try and maybe see if she's just trying to keep her companion safe.

After all, a demon DID just ask who she was with. She might be trying to save him.

>>25989739
I'll second this, but don't leave without doing SOME work, we were asked to convert some of them at least

>>25989739
"You don't know Herus? Oh well."
"No, I don't! Let me out!"

She's very noisy.

You can smell a hit of the Human Realm trail here, but it seems to not go to any of the cells but continue on past them and into a stairwell.

You can leave, though of course that means the humans here will be killed. Sil gives you a sad expression, you guess she won't be happy if you do. Though you only have five magic charges left.

What's the plan, Demon?

>>25989793
let's do the siblings. they are the most frightened here. try to comfort them as you do it

>>25989793
I'd say kill or subdue the pig man and report to our chief he's been wasting demon seed. That or convert the children and the muscled man.

>>25989793
Get the gourd of blood wine from the sleeping guard downstairs to the fat executioner so he can drink the drugged wine and fall asleep.

Then follow that trail.

>>25989828
Seconded.

>>25989793

Almost tempted to waste a seduction + turn on the Druid girl. Waste of energy though.

We don't have the energy for everyone and our mission though. Maybe talk to the demon in charge and promise to be back soon with a friend who can help turn them? That way he gets his job properly done with very little delay AND we keep some energy for our work.

Does it take a very specific demon to manage it or could even Gepette do it?

>>25989828

Very clever. I like it.

Though I'm leaning the Druid Girl. Just because some spirit should do her well.

>>25989793
Get the Twins, we love cute things.

Comfort them as we do it, pull them into a hug, tell them it'll be alright, smooch them, turn them.

Quickly ask the other prisoners if they saw anything.

Then tell the pig demon that we'll be back later for the rest and to just keep them around.

>>25989828

Oh, don't you want to hold onto that as evidence for later?

>>25989833

Well all the potential demons are supposed to be useful, that's why they're here.

And yes, Geppette could do it, if you could find her.

>>25989855
I think we have, or can fake, the authority to tell the pig demon to not fuck with them.

>>25989846

Yeah. Druid should be fun.

>>25989855
Well, if the fat one is going to drink all of the sleeping drink, we could use our authority to tell him to lay off these guys.

But if we have to turn one of them I'd turn either the twins or the druid.